Find out how popular the last name Nwigwe is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nwigwe.

Nwigwe, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nwigwe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nwigwe in America

Nwigwe is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nwigwe surname appeared 130 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nwigwe.

The history of the last name Nwigwe

The surname "NWIGWE" is of Nigerian origin, derived from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the late 16th or early 17th century in the region historically known as the Igbo heartland.

The name "NWIGWE" is thought to be a combination of two Igbo words: "nwa" meaning "child" and "igwe" meaning "sky" or "heaven." This suggests that the name may have been given to families or individuals with a connection to celestial or spiritual matters, or perhaps as a way to honor a child seen as a gift from the heavens.

While there are no known historical references to the name "NWIGWE" in ancient manuscripts or records, it is likely that the name was used among Igbo communities for generations before being documented in written form.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "NWIGWE" can be found in the writings of Olaudah Equiano, a former slave who published his autobiography in 1789. In his book, Equiano mentions encountering an Igbo man named "Nwigwe" during his travels in the region.

Another notable individual with the surname "NWIGWE" was Nwigwe Okafo, a prominent Igbo trader and merchant who lived in the late 19th century. Okafo was known for his extensive business dealings and influence in the Igbo hinterland.

In the 20th century, Nwigwe Eze was a renowned Igbo musician and composer who helped popularize traditional Igbo music. He was born in 1922 and passed away in 1998, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the Nigerian music scene.

Additionally, Nwigwe Ejiogu was a prominent Nigerian academic and author who specialized in Igbo studies. Born in 1932, Ejiogu made significant contributions to the preservation and documentation of Igbo culture and language through his writings and research.

Finally, Nwigwe Okafor was a Nigerian playwright and novelist who gained recognition for his works exploring Igbo society and traditions. Born in 1945, Okafor's plays and novels were widely acclaimed and helped bring Igbo literature to a broader audience.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nwigwe

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nwigwe.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nwigwe was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Nwigwe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nwigwe, please contact us.

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